dragonbook

49 6. Concentrate on understanding multi-step processes, and on ideas, events, or objects that form natural sequences or groupings. Look for similarities and differences that might be used to distinguish correct choices from distractors on an exam. 7. If your textbook highlights new vocabulary or key definitions, be sure that you understand them. Sometimes new words and concepts are collected at the end of a chapter. Check to be sure that you have not left any out by mistake. 8. Do not simply memorize the book's definitions. Most instructors will rephrase things in their own words as they write exam questions, so you must be sure that you really know what the definitions mean. 9. Brainstorm possible questions with several other students who are also taking the course. 10. Practice on sample questions, if you have access to a study guide or old exams. Answering Multiple Choice Questions There are many strategies for maximizing your success on multiple choice exams. The best way to improve your chances, of course, is to study carefully before the exam. There is no good substitute for knowing the right answer. Even a well-prepared student can make silly mistakes on a multiple choice exam, however, or can fall prey to distractors that look very similar to the correct answer. Here are a few tips to help reduce these perils: 1. Before you begin taking the exam, enter all pieces of required information on your answer sheet. If you are so eager to start that you forget to enter your name and ID number, your results may never be scored. Remember: your instructor will not be able to identify you by handwriting or similar text clues. 2. Always cover up the possible responses with a piece of paper or with your hand while you read the stem, or body of the question. 3. Try to anticipate the correct response before you are distracted by seeing the options that your instructor has provided. Then, uncover the responses. If you see the response that you anticipated, circle it and then check to be sure that none of the other responses is better. 4. If you do not see a response that you expected, then consider some of the following strategies to eliminate responses that are probably wrong.